S up e r ma r k e t Dona t i onPr ogr a m
Dear Supermarket Owner or Store Manager, I am writing to you to formerly request your supermarket’s participation in our Supermarket Donation Drive program to support veterans who suffer from hunger and homelessness. Veterans make up at least 25% of our nation’s homeless population and these forgotten heroes deserve our support. With your supermarket’s help, we can engage the very same communities our veterans fought defend to help bring an end to this national tragedy. Our grocery store fundraising drive has run over the last four years with sixty Foodtown Supermarkets and raised over $250,000 for veterans in need. Proceeds from the drive go to support programs that help feed needy military and veteran families. These efforts have recently been featured on the Season Premiere of ABC’s hit TV show, “Secret Millionaire.” By simply participating in our Supermarket Donation Drive program, your supermarket can make a difference. Over the past four years, Foodtown Supermarkets have provided tremendous support to the success of our program to end hunger among veterans by simply giving their customers the opportunity to donate at the register. Customers who make a contribution are given a 5x7 PLU scanable donation card to sign and hang up in the store to show their support. The program is popular among both customers and supermarket employees, as cashiers and managers who help raise a certain level of funds can receive prizes for their efforts at the end of the program. The GI Go Fund Supermarket Donation Drive program has consistently shattered all of Foodtown’s fundraising efforts when compared to other donation drives for charities. This program highlights the public’s willingness to support our nation’s heroes and serves as a way for the community to say “Thank You”. Additionally, the program has also garnered front-page publicity for participating Supermarkets. We would like to extend the same opportunity to your customers, and to your employees, to support the members of our military who suffer from hunger and homelessness, and live on the very streets they fought to defend. Sincerely,
Jack Fanous Executive Director The GI Go Fund
End Hunger and Homelessness among Veterans Store and Employee Prizes: Best In The Industry! The Supermarket Donation Drive program fosters a more involved and exciting work environment. This is in part due to the cause of supporting our troops and veterans and in part due to The GI Go Fund’s best in the industry prize program for Store Managers and Cashiers. The Store Manager of any store that collects over $3,500 in contributions receives either a free Computer, Flat Screen Television, or Apple iPad. Each cashier who raises $500 will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card. Supermarket chains are given the opportunity to compete in a chain-wide program with additional prizes. Please contact your GI Go Fund representative for more information or contact our office at 973-802-1479.
How the Program Works Setup The program typically runs 3-4 weeks. An employee from the GI Go Fund will call your store to arrange a mutually convenient time, a day or two prior to the launch date, to drop off the program materials and set up your store registers. Stores typically begin with 100 GI Go Fund Wrist Bands and 1,000 donation cards that are equipped with 2 PLU numbers, one to charge $1 and another to charge $5. Running the Program Cashiers simply ask each customer: “Would you like to donate $1 to support our Nation’s Troops, or $5 and also receive a GI Go Fund Wristband?” If the customer choses to make a $1 or $5 contribution, the customer will sign their name on the donation card, which will then be displayed in an appropriate location in your store (i.e. store window, etc.). Customers who make a $5 donation are given a GI Go Wrist Band. If you run out of donation cards or wrist bands, please contact your GI Go representative directly or call the office at 973-8021479. This program not only fosters employee morale and team building, it also creates an opportunity to recognize your customers by displaying their name in your store. Ninety-two cents (92¢) of every dollar will go directly to programs aimed at ending hunger and homelessness among veterans. Remittance The GI Go Fund would prefer one check at the end of the program, if possible. It may be one check for all stores within a group or separate checks for each store. Checks should be sent to: The GI Go Fund PO Box 1777, New Brunswick, NJ 08903